A breakdown in the joint security operation between the military and the police in the North Rift, emerged on Friday, April 7, as local leaders raised concerns over the officers' reaction to bandit attacks.
Speaking to the media, Elgeyo Marakwet governor Wisley Kipyegon alleged there was no synergy between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the police, who failed to thwart the militia.
He claimed that he witnessed the breakdown during an attack on Thursday, April 6, when some officers lied to their seniors that they had responded to emergency calls.
"Even if the President gave express orders, there is sabotage. Yesterday I experienced it first-hand when I called for backup for our National Police Reservists (NPRs) who were being cornered, and they were not responding.
"Local police were lying to their bosses too, that they were on the ground, yet they weren't. Maybe there is a breakdown in the chain if somebody is not doing the job as given," he claimed.
According to the governor, some of the officers feared the bandits as it was claimed that the latter had better machinery and equipment.
"You can see that they fear. When the police hear the gunshot, you can see that the officers do not want to leave the police station," he stated.
On the other hand, the area woman representative Caroline Ngelechei called for the ouster of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who she opined bore the greatest responsibility in the communication breakdown.
"People are still getting injured and being killed. There is no reason why the CS and the PS should still be in office," she stated.
In the operation launched in February 2023, the KDF was tasked to provide technical support to the police running the operation.
On several operations, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kindiki clarified that KDF was not taking the lead in the Kerio Valley exercise aimed at flushing out bandits.
However, they maintained that the operation was necessary to deal with the menace once and for all.
“We are sending a strong message to the bandits that we’re in this theatre to stay. We are not leaving until we are convinced that the security has improved and the bandits are degraded so that socio-economic development can take place,” Duale stated.
